Skate-fastener.



W. A. ERICKSEN.

SKATE FASTENER.

APPLICAT|0N HLED SEPT. s. l9l8.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

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UNITED ST TES ornion.

WILLIAM A. ERICKSEN, 0F BROOKLYN, NEWYORK.

SKATE-'IEASTENER.

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the following is, a full, clear,- and exact description. l V

'TlllS invention relates to snow. or ice skates, and has particular reference to means for easily, cheaply, and reliably securing or strapping such skates to the feet.

Among the objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved means or method of strapping or binding a skate to a foot which involves the use of a light rope or cord, or a combination of such flexible connections which are easily applied to the foot, and that are comfortable in practice.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and while the invention is not restricted to the exact details of construction disclosed or suggested herein, still for the purpose of illustrating a practical embodiment thereof reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the means or method of attaching a snow skate to a foot.

Fig. 2 is' a side elevation of such skate detached.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same with both lacing cords loosely connected thereto; and

Fig. a is a perspective view of a different design of skate with the same arrangement of lacing cords as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings I show a skate which may be of any suitable form, structure, or design provided with at least two transverse holes 10 and 11 through the body or runner 12 thereof. A flexible lacer 13 indicated as in the nature of a medium weight, but strong cord or rope, is laced through the hole 10, and through the 1101911 is passed an endless loop shaped cord 14, the length of which is such as to bring the upper portion thereof just above the heel counter G and with a moderate degree of looseness, when the heel of the shoe is in place directly over that portion of Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed September 6, 1918. Serial No. 252,903. I l

the skate having the hole WVith the toe of the shoe directly over that portion ofthe skate having the hole 10, the end or side portions .of the lacer 13 are brought directly over the toe and given a halfhitch at 15 and 14, the ends of the lacer s13 coming thence forward and across the instep where they are tied in any easy convenient manner and without any attempt at tightness. A tightener 16in the form of ashort straight fiat .pin is then passed between the two side portions of the lacer 13 just back of the point 15 and thereby the two side portions aforesaid are twisted as indicated at 17 with the result that the lacer 18 will be tightened throughout all its portions and simultaneously with such tightening the loop 14; will be drawn snugly forward over the heel. The pin 16 will then be left in position as indicated, constituting a reliable lock for the fastener. The fastening means indicated insures that the skate will be held firmly from movement in any direction with respect to the foot. Moreover it is exceedingly easy and comfortable for the foot and cannot under ordinary circumstances become accidentally loosened. There is rather a tendency for the cord to tighten due to the moistening of the lacers from the snow and ice.

The form of skate 12 is onethat I have practised very successfully and comprises a straight runner portion rectangular in cross section, and having. an upturned toe portion 12. This body is made of wood and faced or bound by means of a strip of strap metal 18 extending from the top of the toe forward, downward, and rearward to the upper surface of the heel portion. For traveling or skating over snow this type of skate is very satisfactory and rapid. In Fig. l the type of skate 12 is likewise made of wood faced with strap metal, and otherwise may be of the same character just described, but having broadened ball and heel portions 12 and 12.

I claim:

1. In a skate, the combination of a body having transverse holes through the toe and heel portions thereof, a long loose ended lacer passed through the hole at the toe, a

loop-shaped flexible member passing through the heel counter, said ends of the loose end-.

thence are extended back and passed inwardly around the side portions of the loop IOU ed lacer being brought over the toe, crossed and thence extended rearward along the sides of the foot engaging with the loop member and thence brought forward and tied over the instep, and a member acting then upon the side portions of the loose end her and thence forward and fastened across the instep, and a rigid member passing between the side portions of the longer lacer serving to twist the same together tightening both the lacer and loop members simultaneously and serving to hold the fastening means in practice, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a skate having transverse openings therethrough, of flexible cord fastening means tosecure the same to the foot, said'fastening means comprising one endless member of fixed length fitted permanently in one of said openings, and

another flexible cord member having loose ends adapted to pass through the other of said openings and cooperating with the endless loop member and rigid means serving to tighten both members simultaneously. WILLIAM A. ERlCKSEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent; Washington, D. C. 

